Im in the UK now and thinking of buying an iphone 5c as they are cheaper here, it will be an off contract one but can I use it in Thailand or will it be locked to a carrier still?

The best price I have seen so far is 299 GBP in an Orange shop, is that a good deal?

If you buy from apple they are not assigned to any network, if you buy from orange you will be stuck with orange network.

I always buy from apple store so I can choose the best sim only deal.

ok thanks, I think I will just get it in TH anyway as on closer inspection it seems the prices are exactly the same if not slightly cheaper

http://store.apple.com/th/iphone/family/iphone/compare

If you plan on purchasing the iPhone in SEA you will probably want to verify that the model you purchase is BAND-compatible with both your THAI and your chosen UK/EU carrier.

Currently Thailand uses BAND 1 (2100) for LTE and 3.9G [uMTS, HSPA, HSPA+, DC-HSPA+] for calling and Hi-Speed Data, but may also use BAND 3 (1800) following a sometime-in-the-future-near-you TH GOV auction.

TH LTE

DTAC -- BAND 1 (2100) and proposed BAND 3 (1800) [future TH auction]

TrueMove-H -- BAND 1 (2100)

AIS -- proposed BAND 3 (1800) and/or BAND 8 (900) [future TH auctions]

TH 3.9G [uMTS, HSPA, HSPA+, DC-HSPA+]

DTAC -- BAND 1 (2100) and proposed BAND 3 (1800) [future TH auction]

TrueMove-H -- BAND 1 (2100)

AIS -- BAND 1 (2100), and proposed BAND 3 (1800) and/or BAND 8 (900) [future TH auctions]

TOT 3G -- BAND 1 (2100)

CAT -- proposed BAND 3 (1800) [future TH auction]

UK LTE

'3' -- BAND 20 (800), BAND 3 (1800)

EE -- BAND 20 (800), BAND 3 (1800), BAND 7 (2600)

O₂ -- BAND 20 (800)

Vodafone -- BAND 20 (800), BAND 7 (2600)

Hutchison 3G -- BAND 20 (800), and BAND 3 (1800)

UK Broadband -- BAND 42 TDD (3500), and BAND 43 TDD (3600)

UK 3.9G [uMTS, HSPA, HSPA+, DC-HSPA+]

EE -- BAND 1 (2100)

O₂ -- BAND 1 (2100), and BAND 8 (2100)

Vodafone -- BAND 8 (900), and BAND 1 (2100)

Hutchison 3G -- BAND 1 (2100)

EE (Everything Everywhere (formally Orange & T-Mobile)

Giffgaff (MVNO on O₂ network)

Virgin Mobile/Virgin Media (MVNO on EE)

Apple 5c devices [sold in the UK] vary in technical radio specifications, but ALL will work in Thailand:

• Model A1532*: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz); UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25)
• Model A1456*: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev B. (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz); UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26)
• Model A1507*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20)
• Model A1529*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20); TD-LTE (Bands 38, 39, 40)

I don't know the price but check your local 3 shop, since January this year all their phones are unlocked. I got an iPhone 6 via eBay and that was bought from a 3 shop, I use it on Giffgaff (O2 network).